Method and apparatus for communicating with an electronic engine control

ABSTRACT

An internal combustion engine ( 10 ) includes an engine control unit ( 14 ). The engine control unit ( 14 ) provides control logic and signals to operate the internal combustion engine ( 10 ). The engine control unit ( 14 ) receives data from sensors ( 28 ) and outputs commands through command lines ( 30 ). The engine control unit ( 14 ) also communicates to a remote computer to receive changes in parameters or output requirements. A remote communicator ( 32 ) facilitates the communication between the engine control unit ( 14 ) and the remote computer. The remote communicator ( 32 ) also allows functions of the engine control unit ( 14 ) to be enabled or disabled. If functions are enabled, the remote computer may also provide initial parameters of operation allowing the engine control unit ( 14 ) to properly control the internal combustion engine ( 10 ).

BACKGROUND ART

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to communicating with an electronic enginecontrol for an engine of a motor vehicle. More specifically, theinvention relates to engine control and calibration by communicatingwith the electronic engine control of an engine of a motor vehicle.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Electronics have enhanced the control over every function of themotor vehicle. The internal combustion engine has also been enhanced.This is because the electronics more precisely control the operation ofthe internal combustion engine. The controls can be used to fromdetermining how much fuel is to be consumed down to limiting the outputproduced based on the emissions during a particular operation.

[0005] Many enthusiasts and those that tinker (“enthusiasts”) arereluctant to embrace the electronic technologies. The enthusiasts oftenconsider their motor vehicles works in flux. The motor vehicles areconstantly being tuned, enhanced and/or modified all to add any amountof horsepower available. When an internal combustion engine iscontrolled electronically, the electronic controls require changing.This presents many problems.

[0006] A primary problem is the inflexibility of an electronic controlsystem. Often times, an electronic control system may only work with aspecific hardware and engine configurations. Therefore, in order for anenthusiast to tweak the performance of the motor vehicle, any number ofworking parts, either electronic hardware or internal combustion engineparts, must be replaced. This adds cost and time to any enhancement.

[0007] A secondary problem is the actual work required to make suchchanges. The swapping of electronic components, especially theelectronic control system, requires a great deal of knowledge withrespect to how the other components, mechanical and electrical, interactwith each other. This may require additional training or the hiring of aspecialist.

[0008] A third problem with the electronic control systems of the priorart is their inability to communicate with remote computing devices. Inmany instances, it is desirable to communicate remotely with theelectronic control system of a motor vehicle while it is operating tomake changes to parameters allowing the remote operator to view how theoutputs of the internal combustion engine change with varying the inputparameters. Currently, the only way to make such changes is to install acomputer onboard and hardwire it to a modified electronic controlsystem. This type of set up typically converts the passenger seat into acomputer stand and requires the driver to divert some attention awayfrom the road. It also requires the driver to have a working knowledgeof how to operate the computer and/or the electronic control system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An engine control assembly for an internal combustion engine of amotor vehicle is disclosed. The engine control assembly includes acontroller that is disposed adjacent the internal combustion engine. Thecontroller includes an output port and provides control signals tooperate the internal combustion engine at the output port. The enginecontrol assembly also includes a remote communicator in communicationwith said controller. The remote communicator transmits signals from thecontroller to a remotely located computer. Signals may then be receivedfrom the remotely located computer and transmitted to the controllerfrom the engine control unit allowing the controller to modify thecontrol signals transmitted to the internal combustion engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Other advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an internal combustion engineincorporating one embodiment of the invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a logic chart identifying the method of one embodimentof the invention; and

[0014]FIG. 4 is a logic chart identifying a second method of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Remote Communications

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view partially cut away of anengine for a motor vehicle is generally indicated at 10. The engine 10is an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine 10 mayinclude a distributor 12 or, in the alternative, it may include anelectronic set up more appropriate for operation with an electronic fuelinjector system (neither shown). The internal combustion engine 10 iscontrolled by an electronic engine control 14. The engine control unit(“ECU”) 14 provides all electrical and electronic communication betweenthe various subsystems of the internal combustion engine 10 and othersystems of the motor vehicle (none shown). The ECU 14 will be describedin greater detail subsequently. The internal combustion engine 10includes a plurality of cylinders 16, each having a piston 18 and atleast one intake valve 20 and one exhaust valve 22. The valves 20, 22are moved by a camshaft 24 and the pistons 18 move a crankshaft 26.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the ECU 14 is shown as itrelates to the components with which it communicates. The ECU 14receives its data from a plurality of sensors 28. These sensors 28represent the sensors required to operate the internal combustion engine10. A non-exhaustive list of the sensors required to operate theinternal combustion engine 10 include a cam shaft sensor, a crank shaftsensor, MAP sensors, detonation sensors, temperature sensors, nitrousoxide sensors, and the like. After all of the data is transmitted to theECU 14, the ECU 14 creates commands based thereon. More specifically,the ECU 14 operates the internal combustion engine 10 based on thesignals it receives from the sensors 28. The ECU 14 transmits thecommands and controls out therefrom through a plurality of command lines30. The command lines 30 are merely conductors that connect the ECU 14to the various components of the internal combustion engine 10 beingcontrolled by the ECU 14. Such parameters may include the timingadjustment of the firing of a spark plug, or the adjustment of themixture of air and gas. Still another possible adjustment made by theECU 14 would be adjusting parameters that are a function of temperatureor change.

[0017] Attached to the ECU 14 is a remote communicator, generally shownat 32. The remote communicator 32 receives data from the ECU 14 andtransmits the data to a remote location. Typically, the remote locationwould be a computer in a lab or in a pit area of a racetrack. The remotecommunicator 32 may include a modem 34, a network connection (notshown), an antenna 36 or a cell phone (not shown) and a protocolallowing the remote communicator 32 to communicate with ECU 14. Whileinfrared and radio frequency communications are contemplated, electricalsignals transmitted through at least one conductor 38 between the modem34 and the ECU 14 are used in the preferred embodiment. In theembodiment shown, there are two conductors 38 extending between the ECU14 and the modem 34. These two conductors 38 could represent an RS-232interface or they may be a dedicated connection. It should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the list of modes ofcommunication listed above is exemplary in nature and not exhaustive.Other methods of communication may be used without extending out of thescope of the invention.

[0018] The modem 34 operates by standing in a wait loop. When the modem34 receives a request, data is received after the ECU 14 identifies thedata being requested and transmits the data to the modem 34. The blockof data is then sent remotely using the modem 34 and antenna 36. Themodem 34 sends a block or frame of data at a time. The Modem 34 iscapable, through the commands it receives from the remote computer, ofrequesting data on the status of parameters, the condition of theinternal combustion engine 10 or the condition and state of the ECU 14.The modem 34 is also capable of receiving commands required to modifythe performance of the internal combustion engine 10.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, the method is shown generally at 42. Themethod begins at 44. The first step of the method 42 is to initiatecommunication 46 between the remote computer and the engine control unit46. This typically involves identifying the engine control unit 14 tothe remote computer. In the preferred embodiment, an IP addressassociated with the computing device of the engine control unit 14 willsuffice.

[0020] Once identified, the remote computer and the engine control unit14 are connected electronically to communicate therebetween at 48. Inorder for this to happen, the engine control unit 14 must be in a servermode. Server mode as used herein means that the engine control unit 14has resources available to receive inputs external thereto and are ableto act in some way on those inputs.

[0021] The engine control unit 14 and the remote computer are thensynchronized at 50. This allows the remote operator to control theengine control unit 14 as if the operator were local to the enginecontrol unit 14. In this mode, the local operator of the internalcombustion engine 10 may or may not be able to view the changes beingmade or parameters being viewed by the remote operator. The local andremote operators may, however, communicate through a chat window.

[0022] After the two computing devices are synchronized, new parametersor data may be transmitted to the ECU 14 at 52 or, alternatively, theremote computer may receive data from the ECU 14 at 54.

[0023] These two steps 52, 54 allow the remote computer to view outputsof the internal combustion engine 10 or change parameters associatedwith inputs or conditions of the internal combustion engine 10.

[0024] The current parameters and values are save in the ECU 14 at 56.The control of the ECU 14 as well as the internal combustion engine 10are returned thereto at 58. Communication is terminated at 60 allowingthe ECU 14 to return to its normal mode of operation.

Method For Enhancing The ECU

[0025] A method for enhancing the ECU 14 is described. The methodrequires the use of the remote communicator 34. In the alternative, amore traditional port 40 may be used. The port 40 shown in FIG. 2 is anRS-232 port. To reduce costs in manufacturing different models of aparticular ECU 14, one model is designed for all performancerequirements that may be required of the ECU 14. Certain functionscapable of being performed by the ECU 14 are disabled depending on themodel purchased by the user of the ECU 14. By way of example, it may notbe the desire of some users of the ECU 14 to monitor and modify twofeatures, namely nitrous oxide (NOx) output or fan control. The userthen does not have to purchase a model of the ECU 14 capable ofmonitoring and modifying those features.

[0026] The ECU 14 is capable, however, of monitoring these features. If,in the future, the user of the partially disabled ECU 14 would like tomaximize the functionality of the ECU 14, software capable of enablingthe ECU 14 may be operated. More specifically, because the ECU 14 iscapable of communicating with other electronic devices via the RS-232port 40 and the remote communicator 32, the ECU 14 can receive commandsexteriorly therefrom to enable previously disabled functions of the ECU14. This allows for greater flexibility and reduced maintenance inswitching out or replacing ECUs 14 based on the needs of the userthereof.

[0027] Certain functions are turned off or on by changing a value in aspecific address. In other situations, a value being reviewed by aspecific feature may be unnaturally tied to a particular value, i.e.,zero, effectively keeping a function from operating. If the softwareintroduced to the ECU 14 changed the value in the specific address, thefunction may be turned on. Likewise, if the value in a specific addresswere no longer identified as a particular value and were able to be avariable representing a natural state of a particular device, then thefunction of the ECU 14 may be turned on.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, one embodiment of this invention isgenerally indicated at 62. Once communication is initiated at 64, theremote computer and the ECU 14 are electronically connected at 66. Thisonly occurs when the ECU 14 is in the server mode. The ECU 14 and theremote computer are synchronized at 68.

[0029] After synchronization, the operator of the remote computerchanges the settings in the ECU 14 at 70. The settings that are changedallow for the additional functionality in the ECU 14 not previousavailable to the local operator of the motor vehicle.

[0030] In addition, should the enhancements to the ECU 14 functionalityrequire, initial parameters are transmitted to the ECU 14 for thoseadditional functions at 72. After the additional features areinitialized with proper settings and/or values, the control of the ECU14 is returned to the local operator at 74 and communicationtherebetween is terminated at 76. While not discussed, it should beappreciated that features may be disenabled in a fashion similar to thatwhich is discussed above without extending beyond the scope of theinventive method.

[0031] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It isto be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intendedto be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

[0032] Many modifications and variations of the invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described.

We claim:
 1. An engine control assembly for an internal combustionengine of a motor vehicle, said engine control assembly comprising: acontroller disposed adjacent to the internal combustion engine, saidcontroller including an output port and providing control signals tooperate the internal combustion engine at said output port; and a remotecommunicator in communication with said controller, said remotecommunicator transmitting signals from said controller to a remotelylocated computer, receiving signals from the remotely located computerand transmitting the signals received to said controller allowing saidcontroller to modify said control signals transmitted to the internalcombustion engine.
 2. An engine control assembly as set forth in claim 1wherein said remote communicator includes a modem.
 3. An engine controlassembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said remote communicatorincludes an antenna to aid in the transmission and reception of signalsbetween said controller and the remotely located computer.
 4. An enginecontrol assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said modem iselectrically connected with said controller.
 5. A method for remotelycommunicating with a local engine control unit, having an IP address, ofan internal combustion engine with a remote computer, the methodcomprising the steps of: initiating communication with the enginecontrol unit using the remote computer; synchronizing the remotecomputer with the engine control unit; bi-directionally communicatingbetween the remote computer and the engine control unit to establishcurrent parameters of operation; returning control of the internalcombustion engine to the engine control unit; and terminating thebi-directional communication.
 6. A method as set forth in claim 5including the step of saving the current parameters of operations in theengine control unit prior to the step of returning control of theinternal combustion engine to the engine control unit.
 7. A method asset forth in claim 6 switching the engine control unit to a server modeprior to the step of initiating communication.
 8. A method as set forthin claim 7 wherein the step of initiating communication includes thestep of the remote computer receiving an IP address to facilitate thestep of initiating communication.
 9. A method for providing upgrades inoperation of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle controlledby an engine control unit having a remote communicator, the methodcomprising the steps of: initiating communication with the enginecontrol unit using the remote computer; synchronizing the remotecomputer with the engine control unit; changing settings on the enginecontrol unit allowing additional features to be utilized by an operatorof the motor vehicle; returning control of the internal combustionengine to the engine control unit; and terminating the communicationbetween the engine control unit and the remote computer.
 10. A method asset forth in claim 9 including the step of providing initiationparameters for the additional features added allowing the additionalfeatures to operate properly.